We got a good amount of snow this weekend - and since we live in North Carolina, that is a bit unusual (which could explain why 8 inches of snow constitutes a "state of emergency" declaration by the governor...).
Although I am not all that excited by snow, since I grew up in a very snowy part of the country, we did want to take the babies out to experience it - even if they would probably just fall asleep. So, we bundled them up and took them for a sled ride around the neighborhood. And, although they did fall asleep, I still think they had a good time! It made me excited for snow next year when they can really enjoy it!
This is an exclamation we hear quite frequently, and it usually is accompanied by something like, "Wow, you've sure got your hands full!" or "How do you do it?" or "Go big or go home, right?" (We really heard that last one the other day.) To us, just like having two babies instead of one, we don't know any different.
When I met Eric, he had our Brittany Spaniel, Gracie, already. She was about 6 years old at the time, and just as sweet with a lot fewer white hairs and a lot more energy. I had a wonderful standard Poodle, named Joey. The two became a great pair, and soon we added our boxer/pitbull mix, Cali. When Joey passed away shortly after we got married, we adopted Cody, a bulldog/pitbull mix. So, since we have known each other, we have had dogs. And while we certainly did not intend on having two children at once, we looked forward to having both children and dogs together - to us, that's a real family.
All three pups (along with one we were fostering at the time)
A lot of people ask how the dogs adjusted to having the babies around - I never quite know what to say because it really wasn't an adjustment at all. The dogs didn't act any different, and the babies certainly didn't notice the dogs. I think it helped that we made the dogs give the babies lots of space when we first brought them home - we didn't allow them to even really sniff them for a few weeks, until they were totally relaxed and viewed the babies as just one of the family. So, although Cody (who is the most energetic and will work realllllly hard to give a stranger a kiss - especially if that stranger is about 2 feet tall and squealing with delight) appears to be interested in the babies, he is actually quite calm around them. Of course, this may change drastically when they become mobile...
I was going to post this video to showcase some baby giggles, but it also showcases the babies and dogs together, so it's perfect! Enjoy!
I have been back to work full time now for a week. It is surreal to be back - I discovered that the world kept turning while I had babies! As I sat at my desk for the first time, sans a humongous belly, it was like nothing ever happened. (Well, except for the pictures of the babies that are proudly displayed now!) There were phone calls to make, emails to check, meetings to have, children to see. However, as a school psychologist, I am really lucky to work for a school system, which not only means I have great hours for a working mom, but also means I am surrounded by women - many of whom have children and understand how difficult it was to return to work after maternity leave (as well as my need to pump during the day!).
I think I have handled the transition well though. I only cried a few tears before I left for work on the first day - putting the babies down for their first morning nap, among all of their coos and smiles, I was overcome by how incredibly cute and amazing they are and how much I would miss during the day. It may seem odd, but it helped to force myself to remember how stressed I felt during some days of my leave when I was by myself trying to feed two screaming babies! The boys are generally very easy-going babies, but when they're hungry, they let you know! It is much easier for someone else to feed them, actually, because they can just sit them both in their seats and feed each a bottle. When I am home I either nurse both of them at the same time, or I nurse one while bottle feeding the other. That takes some juggling! There were times when both babies had trouble latching, or spit up on me, or were insatiably hungry - I broke down in tears on more than one occasion out of frustration, stress, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy...you name it, I felt it. So, although I hate to leave my babies all day, I actually feel a lot less stress when I am home with them. I have been out of the house, had interactions with adults, enjoyed an uninterrupted cup of coffee, dressed in real clothes. I also am able to enjoy the little moments with them so much more because I know they are limited.
It helps that I know they are getting amazing childcare while I am at work! We found a fabulous nanny, Becky, who has been a nanny for over 20 years and has even cared for two sets of twins before. We were really lucky to find her - who knew craigslist could be good for more than selling your old TV? She is with the babies on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Eric is able to stay with them on Tuesday and Thursday, since he is in graduate school and has a little flexibility in scheduling his classes and work. I think it is great that he has this opportunity - not many dads are (willing or) able to fully partake in the care of their kids, and I hope their relationship is stronger because of it.
Asher
Felix
As for the babies, they are growing and changing everyday! They are now too tall for their 0-3 month clothes, so we broke out the 3-6 month collection this weekend. At last weight check (with our home scale), Asher was almost 12 pounds while Felix was over 13. They both are beginning to be able to grab and hold on to a toy (like a rattle), although it's not quite purposeful yet (i.e., they're not reaching for things). They do bat at toys hanging near them though, which is the first step. They are both smiling up a storm, and starting to giggle as well. We hear lots of cooing - especially from Asher, who is the patient brother and can entertain himself for several minutes by kicking and cooing in his crib in the morning while I nurse Felix and he waits for daddy to bring him a bottle. I have to plan ahead and get a video of that one of these mornings! In the meantime, here is a video of both babies hanging out yesterday. I took a video before this one, but they were so distracted by the camera that they wouldn't smile or talk! I was a little more covert with this video so you get to see some cute stuff (including the ever present spit-up...sorry!). Enjoy!
Ok, so I am a few days late, but Happy New Year to you! What an amazing 2009 our family had. I just know that each year will get better and better. I can hardly believe the babies are 3 months old now! Time really does fly, and we have to enjoy and cherish every moment.
We had friends over for the New Year festivities since we had two little bedtimes to abide by, and it was a lot of fun. We had food, drink, and even our own ball to drop! (Sure it was a bit smaller than the one at Times Square, and it was pretty much just a styrofoam ball with Christmas lights duct taped to it, but hey - it was funny!)
(Oh, and my New Years resolution is to lose this stubborn 12 pounds leftover from the pregnancy! Now that I have typed it into the great blogosphere, perhaps I will actually do something about it...which means I may have to stop eating all the Christmas candy we received just because it's there...)
Happy New Year everyone! May your year be filled with love and happiness!
